Uganda Tour Recap

After months of planning, 35 players and 14 management and supporters from Blackrock College RFC set off for Uganda on the 14th August, exactly 54 years after having last travelled there.

The group was met by a great reception at the airport and escorted to their hotel where they had one day to acclimatize before taking on the Uganda All Stars in a highly anticipated game in Kampala.

The match day itself endured extraordinary rain and the pitch was just barely passed fit to play. At times it resembled a water polo game rather than a Rugby game! Blackrock won it in a very tight tussle, 19 - 8. Both teams displayed no little skill in appalling conditions.

The group had a very pleasant day on the Sunday and visited an Irish run Charity (Nurture Africa) and following that were entertained by the Irish ambassador (Mags Traynor) at her residence. They set off on Monday 18th to Jinja in the northern part of the country.

They visited one of the country's largest prisons to witness the Rugby programs being implemented there and also took part in a training session with some of the inmates. The group also visited the Spire School for the Blind and again witnessed how sport was been used to help those less fortunate.

Some extracurricular activities involved Nile white water rafting and a Golf and bungee jump day. The final 2 days of the tour were spent at Kakira Rugby Club (only founded in 2023). The first day was spent coaching young children who were taking part in large underage blitz (approx 300 children). For the final day, the group again assisted coaching some older teams and took part in 10 a side game against local opposition. At the awards afterwards, large consignments of gear and balls were handed over to the local teams that Blackrock had brought with them.

We would very much like to thank all those who contributed by way of financial aid or gave gifts of gear and balls. What we distributed was only a small drop in the ocean, but was so welcomingly received. A special mention must go to our hosts In Uganda, Saidi Atibu (Kakira RFC) and all of the Ugandan people who we met and made us feel so welcome during our stay.

It was my upmost pleasure to lead this group to Uganda. The trip will live long in the memories of all those who participated and we are all looking forward to the next one (and not wait 50 years)!

Yours in Rugby,

John Colclough